Correct this tilt in the law

Suicide in Bengaluru by Atul Subhash Modi, a highly placed techie from Bihar, has come as a stark reminder that the distinct judicial tilt towards favouring the women’s side in marital dispute cases is increasingly being seen as a causative factor for suicide among men. While it is for the courts to use a finetoothed comb to scrutinise the case, the emerging details suggest that Atul was driven to death finding no solace in law and the utter hopelessness that surrounded him. Atul was facing charges of domestic violence from his wife Nikita Singhania and a demand of Rs. 2 lakh towards maintenance of his wife and Rs. 4 lakh for visitation rights to his three-year old son.

While both sides had filed cases in family courts accusing the other spouse of harassment, Nikita had slapped charges of dowry demand of Rs. 10 lakh. While it is for the court to go into the veracity of charges, the interim maintenance of Rs. 20,000 directed by the Jaunpur court itself have been termed ‘extraordinary’ by lawyers. As it appears from his suicide note, Atul appears to have been driven to take the extreme step due to alienation with his son, his wife’s refusal to allow him to visit him and the consequent heartbrokenness. The judges reported to have never addressed his plea to even facilitate a video chat and ignored his concern over the matter. A Jaunpur court judge’s demand of Rs. 5 lakh for a favourable decree too figures prominently in the suicide note.

While millions of such cases might be pending in the family courts, the pain, grief, distress, anguish and woes of such spouses are entangled in lengthy cases and are not discussed openly. The case also etches to broad relief the corruption rife in the ranks of lower judiciary. But none of these are more important than heeding the urge to correct the tilt towards the female spouse, to provide a more equal playing field in law and imparting level-headedness to people adjudicating in such matters.